Real Madrid, the three convincing reasons for a victory against Barza that condemns Xavi

With his arms akimbo and his gaze lost. Xavi Hernández could not believe Real Madrid’s second goal converted by the Uruguayan Federico Valverde. They were the best minutes of his Barcelona in the classic but an error -a new error- buried the options of a tie that could have changed history but that ended in a 3-1 merengue victory against a Barza consumed by its own mistakes.

The defeat against his arch-rival marks the end of Xavi’s worst week at the helm of the team he loves. On Wednesday they drew at the Camp Nou against Inter Milan and practically missed out on the knockout stages of the Champions League for the second time in a row, except for a miracle in the last two games. And this Sunday he lost the top of the Spanish League against Madrid.

Karim Benzemawho this Monday he would receive his first Ballon d’Or, a prize for his excellent last season in which he led the Madrid team to become European champions, opened the scoring after 12 minutes. Y Federico Valverde increased to 35 ‘in a first time in which the cast directed by Carlo Ancelotti he was far superior in many aspects of the game.

After making seven signings in the transfer market, including that of great figures such as Robert Lewandowski, Barza does not have a good time. The crisis has even led Barça fans to make the hashtag a trend #XaviOut with which they ask for the departure of the idol turned club coach since November 2021.

The truth is that Real Madrid won the classic with a superiority that shakes the Barza project entrusted to Xavi. There are reasons to understand why Ancelotti’s men are currently celebrating the top of the Spanish competition and the crisis of the rival team.

The midfield was white

From the outset Xavi surprised everyone by putting in the starting eleven Frankie de Jong instead of combative Gavi. His idea, perhaps, was to repeat what was done in last year’s classic in which the Dutchman, today relegated to the bench, was one of the figures with his surprising incursions into the rival area.

However, that change unbalanced a midfield that lacked the strength to counter white’s trident made up of Tony Kroos, Luka modric Y Tchouameniwho is the Casemiro of the new Madrid.

With a team that on many occasions was left with very separate lines and with outside attackers who did not comply with the route to defend, Sergio Busquets He was one of the hardest hit. The 34-year-old midfielder was exposed to one of his biggest weaknesses: open-field speed.

On the first goal of Karim Benzema, the play began in the merengue area. After a pivot of Vinicius Juniors, Kroos He started driving followed by Busquets who never managed to catch up, he even tried to grab him by the shirt to commit the foul but he did not achieve his goal.

errors in defense

“It is difficult to explain the differences between LaLiga and the Champions League. … in LaLiga we are very good and we have to continue on this path. Tomorrow is an important test.”Xavi said at a press conference. If in the middle of the week Gerard Piqué was the target, now he was Eric García’s turn.

Real Madrid’s second goal was a result of mistakes made with the Barcelona defense. “The ball that went out of bounds and that Carvajal saves with a kick to any part portrays the entire Barza defense, disoriented and disoriented”commented the statistician Mr Chip.

Added to all those positioning errors, Eric Garcia enabled Vinícius Junior combing a ball. The Brazilian led, opened with Mendy for the Frenchman to send a low center for the arrival of Federico Valverde. The Uruguayan, with a missile holder on his right foot, shook from the edge of the area.

Effectiveness

Barcelona tried 18 times (five on goal defended by Lunin) and only scored one goal. Statistics that portray what the classic was.

While the culé team relies on its philosophy of passing in search of holes, Carlos Ancelotti’s cast is simpler. He arrives with few touches to the rival goal and has great efficiency. In addition to the good movements in attack.

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